National Republican., 1887-09-09
Unasked advice.

The Charleston NcUs and Courier, one Of
the Democratic papers Of the south that
occasionally speaks frankly without Intend
ing to do so, in discussing a proposed col
ored national league, says:
1t ought to be clear to intelligent c1lorod
men by this time that organizations OF their
race, on the color line, are the last thugs thy
should enter into or encourage. Every such
organization serves only To separate aud segrc-
gate the coored people from their white fell
low citizens, and to preven, in that way the
harmony and community of interests and pur-
roses which II should be the special object OF
the weaker race to encourage and sec ire rs soon
as practicable. The colOrcd people, II
is certain, have nothing whatever to gain BY
organization on the race or color line. This
merely pefpetuates racial divisions In political
movements, and fortifes those who are strong
est in their opposition to the very privileges
and rights which the colored people demand.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN has said sub
stantially the same thing to the colorei
pee pie of the south. 1t declared, In offer
ing this advice, that the colore people were
urjustly and illegally deprived OF all polt-
ical rights in the south and that, as the
Democratic President had opened the door
Of that political fold and invited the cOlored
men to enter It would be good policy for
any of them who differed from the Repub.
licNn party (of which all Of them were mem.
beIs) on any political questions to seek new
party affiliations
The advice was good and has been
followed, VS. the color line 10 the south is
| broken, and will not he re established un-
| hn bnI htTt hn IN ri uNf
such papers as the News and Courier,
which both cajoles and threatens iu the ar
| ticle under consideration. 1t says:
There is one way, and only one way, in
| which the colored people can he sure to enjoy
| fully the rights which the Law confers upon
them, and that way is by proving by their
| lives and conduct, that they are worthy Of the
| privileges and rights Of citizensh p 0ny those
who are worthy to be citizens can long cxer-
ciEe the rights and powers Of citizenship. All
that the colored people prove themselves
worthy Of, and all that they deserve, they will
unquestionably gain. Legislation gives them
rights under the law, 1t Is true, as legislation
gives rights to the white people under the law.
But whites as well as blacks in this country
and in other countries, have only the actual
rights that they have shown themselves
| "OltHS Ol, anu NIlCu tISy nave hHONu tuhl
they can exercise with advantage to them
se!ves and without injury too.hers.
The first sentence is an admission of the
charge that the colored vote is suppressed
The second contains the threat that none
will be permitted to vote unless they vote
the Democratic ticket. Tee third is bic
for some of the votes. The fourth and tlftt
a declaration that might is greater thar
right In the south SO far as the colOred mar
is concerned.
The colored people OF the south will pay
little attention to the threats or advice OF
the Ncws and Courier and those Of it's class
They have begun to think for themselves
and are gradually but surely working out
their own political salvation. The New
and Courier will realize this some day be
fore long when 1t sees the rotton Bourbon
conspiracy Of which It is one Of the mouth
pieces crumble into piecee.